Formula 1 could have remained free-to-air for the foreseeable future had F1 bosses considered the bid presented by terrestrial broadcaster, Channel 4.
The recent announcement that the BBC would share coverage of the 2012 to 2018 season with subscription service Sky, came as a shock to many fans, especially those that can’t afford such a service which it’s estimated would cost around £600 annually.
It’s believed the BBC blocked a rival bid from Channel 4, to instead partner with Sky in order to avoid one of their biggest rivals securing the rights’ to host F1 free-to-air – leaving the BBC without any coverage.
Bernie Ecclestone is also thought to have backed the BBC/Sky deal, despite earlier declaring that pay-to-view would be suicidal for the sport and its sponsors.
The main motivator behind Ecclestone’s reasoning is that Channel 4 offered £45 million a year for the contract, £5m more than the BBC currently pay, but £15m less than the announced BBC/Sky deal in which the BBC contributes £15m for half the races, with Sky paying the remaining £45m for exclusive rights to show all 20 grands prix live.
Documents, which have now been removed, revealed that C4 produced a ten-point plan which would have seen the channel show all coverage live, including practice, alongside detailed analysis with several hours of documentaries and historical footage.
C4 were among many others channel, including ITV and Channel 5 to have shown an interest in taking over the rights, however the deal offered by C4 was believed to be the only viable alternative with ITV and C5 wanting to takeover from 2013, rather than 2012.
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